My mother passed away Wednesday night

Mary Ann Healy, a former school teacher and airline stewardess who lived in Stamford for 63 years, passed away peacefully Wednesday Feb. 5, 2014, at home with her loving family at her side. She was 86 years old and fought a courageous battle with lymphoma.

She was born July 28, 1927, in St. Stephen, Minnesota, to the late Stanley and Margaret Philipsek Beniek.

Mary Ann grew up on her family’s farms and graduated from Little Falls High School in Minnesota.

After attending St. Cloud State University, she taught elementary school in Minnesota before joining Delta Airlines as a stewardess as they were called in the glamorous years of airline travel.

During one of her many trips, she met her future husband John “Jack” Healy in Dallas after a mutual friend arranged their first date. The couple married in 1951 and lived in Stamford where Mary Ann raised six children and dedicated herself to the care of her son Peter after an accident that left him a quadriplegic at age 19.

Mrs. Healy was a member of St. Gabriel Parish in Stamford and she and her family were members of the former Scofield Beach Club and Newfield Swim Club.

Mary Ann and Jack organized dances at the former Terrace Club in Stamford, participated in dance weekends and competitions throughout the tri-state area and were members of the United States Amateur Ballroom Dancers Association. Mary Ann was charismatic and had the rare gift of illuminating every room she walked into.

In addition to her husband of 63 years, Mary Ann is survived by five sons: Roger (Marilyn) of Fairfield, Peter of Stamford, Thomas (Karen) of New Canaan, Todd of Stamford and John (Kristin) of Ridgefield; a daughter: Sally Ann Healy of Stamford; 10 grandchildren and a great-grandson.

She is also survived by four brothers and two sisters in Minnesota.

Mrs. Healy was predeceased by two other sisters and her stepmother, Anna Skudlarek Beniek.